MEDIA KIT 2021-2022 Letter from the Editor-in-Chief
Dear treasured business owner,
We are incredibly grateful for you and your support. The University Star, Texas State’s student news organization, is financially and editorially independent from the university. Due to our independence, it is imperative for The Star to sell upwards of $100,000 in yearly advertisements to cover finances such as full-time staff salaries and students’ stipends.
Without this revenue, we cannot afford to pay our hardworking team of student journalists that constantly work to provide the Texas State and San Marcos community with information. Additionally, without sufficient funds we are unable to maintain our independence which allows us to hold university administration and community officials accountable.
As a business owner, I’m sure you are familiar with the power of advertising and understand the value of working with one of the largest and oldest news organizations in Central Texas. With your support, you will play an active role in supporting student media and helping us serve our audience.
We understand the commitment that comes with spending your hard- earned money to advertise with us, and we are forever grateful. Without your help, our work could not be possible.
Thank you for believing in us and for seeing the value in student media!
Sincerely,
Brianna Benitez
Editor-in-Chief The University Star
@brianancelestte
(512) 245-3487 Statistics
Celebrating 110 Years of Award Winning Journalism!
STUDENT ENROLLMENT STUDENT ETHNICITY ALUMNI 7% more than 11% 2020-2021 174,000 43% living 37,812 total students 5,671 students live on campus 39% DEGREES STUDENT POPULATION White 59.8% female Hispanic African American Degree Programs 40.2% male Other 99 Bachelor’s 93 Master’s 14 Doctoral’s 96% IN STATE RANKINGS by public university size 1,397 3% OUT OF STATE 1st in the Texas State University System full-time 7th in Texas faculty GRADUATION & 39th in the United States RETENTION ST 2,075 full-time 1 sta
SAN MARCOS 24 years median age 55% graduated within six years 70% renter-occupied housing $29,078 median household income 77% of fall freshman returned 87% high school diploma or higher Print Advertising
*Dimensions listed in width x height
2 col (4.75”) x 10.5”
4 col (9.75”) x 21.0” 2 col (4.75”) x 5.25” 2 col 4 col (9.75”) x 10.5” (4.75”) x 21” 4 col (9.75”) x 5.25”
Full Page Half-Page H Half-Page V Quarter-Page Eighth-Page $1,260 $630 $630 H / V $315 $158
AD RATES – Premium Locations* AD TYPE PRICE
Front Page Banner (color) 4 col x 2.5” $545
Back Page Banner (color) 4 col x 2.5” $400
Double Truck (b&w) 20.5” x 20.5” $2,880
Local Guide (b&w) 2 columns x 3” $90/month
*Procrastination Page ad +$50
*Back Page ad +$100
PCI RATE: $15
COLOR CHARGE: $75
COLOR CHARGE (Full page): $150
AD DESIGN: Additional fee of $45 per ad
*Print ads must be submitted as .jpg or .pdf at 300 dpi resolution Digital Advertising star.txstate.edu
UniversityStar.com
801,057 1,081,138 Sessions per year Page views per year
OVER 90,095 12.9% Page views per month Returning visitors
A. Leaderboard B. Premium Rectangle 728 x 90 pixels 300 x 250 pixels $250/week - $800/month $200/week - $600/month
C/D. Rectangle E. Banner 300x 250 pixels 728 x 90 pixels $150/week - $400/month $150/week - $400/month
The University Star is the source for breaking news and coverage of the Texas State University student body and San Marcos community. Universitystar.com features prompt news updates, videos, podcasts, galleries and even more exclusive content.
All digital advertisements are enabled with the client’s hyper-link and intuitive analytics reporting the impressions and visibility of these ads to the Star’s readers.
Digital ads may rotate with up to three advertisement.
Deadline All advertisements are due three business days prior to the start date and must be sized correctly by the client or incur an additional charge.
File Requirements: –dimensions in pixels (px) –72 dpi / RGB mode Weekly Newsletter
A. Your ad here
“I rely on my Thursday newsletter 54,601 edition to keep me informed about Subscribers receive the everything that’s happening in the hill weekly email edition country, especially San Marcos.” –Carol
Email Newsletters Start with the Star is delivered directly to subscriber’s inboxes twice weekly every Tuesday and Thursday during the fall and spring semesters, and once a week over winter break and during summer semesters. In addition to up to five stories featured in the newsletters,Start with the Star displays three premium advertising banners with hyperlinks to each client’s webpage.
Buy Three, Get One FREE! Of equal or lesser value. A. Above Masthead Banner 600 x 200 pixels $175/ad
File Requirements: –600 x 200 px B. Below 1st Article banner –72 dpi / RGB mode 600 x 200 pixels $150/ad B. Your ad here
C. Above Footer banner 600 x 200 pixels $125/ad
Scan QR code to *Client will have the option to choose between subscribe! Tuesday or Thursday newsletter distribution. Newsletter ads must be prepaid in advance.
C. Your ad here Social Media
17.9k 5,330 2,735 Twitter Followers Facebook Follows Instagram Followers
Let us handle your social media marketing by posting your content among The University Star’s outstanding news coverage. Our Engagement Editor utilizes the latest research available for popular social networks to maximize each client’s exposure to The Star’s growing audience.
Twitter / Facebook* Time Slots
NUMBER COST YOUR OVERALL 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM OF POSTS PER POST SAVINGS PRICE 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM 1 $60 0% $60 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM 20 $50 10% $1,080 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM 30 $40 15% $1,530 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM 40 $30 20% $1,920 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
*Up to 4 posts a day, five days a week. Campaign must be completed within two months. Please provide images for social media in the following sizes.
Twitter: 1024 x 512 px, 72 dpi, RGB Facebook: 940 x 780 px, 72 dpi, RGB Instagram Stories
The University Star is now offering Instagram stories to help promote your services! Your Instagram story can include text, photos, stickers, or a boomerang. Let us know what you would like in your Instagram story, and our talented engagement team will create it for you!
Pricing – $160/story for 15 seconds
– File requirements: 72 dpi, RGB mode, JPG Includes – Short caption or text
– Get creative! Add stickers, GIFs, hashtags, etc. – Each 24 hour story reaches ~500 viewers Premium Packages
MAROON GOLD PLATINUM PACKAGE PACKAGE PACKAGE
Rectangle (1 month) Premium Rectangle (1 month) Leaderboard (1 month) DIGITAL Newsletter bottom (1 week) Newsletter middle (1 week) Newsletter top (1 month) Facebook posts (5) Facebook posts (10) Facebook posts (20) SOCIAL Tweets (5) Tweets (10) Tweets (20) PRINT Local Guide b&w ad Quarter-page color ad Half-page color ad TOTAL $1,200 $2,000 $3,000 ($1,475 VALUE) ($2,615 VALUE) ($4,255 VALUE) 15% DISCOUNT 20% DISCOUNT 30% DISCOUNT
**Premium packages must be completed in a 2-Month period. No substitutions.
Can’t decide on how to create your own advertising package? Check out our premium packages that include our most popular advertising services at a discounted price! We have three options that will help start promoting your business. Classifieds
The University Star Marketplace The University Star now offers online classified ads at a low rate of $10 per ad for 25 words (per week). Additional words can be purchased at a rate of 40 cents per word on each classified ad (per week). Get started on placing your classified ad on our website, universitystar.com!
Classified Listing Classified ads will be listed under its respective category. All classified ads include 25 words with the option of purchasing additional words and will run for one week.
Classified Categories The University Star offers a variety of classified categories, such as announcements, housing, for sale, jobs, and services. All categories will display classified ads from most recent listings to oldest (top to bottom). Classified Ad Classified Creative *$10/ad for 25 words (per week) Classified ads offer the option to include a creative, such as a *Over 25 words - additional $0.40/word (per week). photo! This option is available for an Add Creative - additional $5/ad (per week). additional fee of $5 per ad, per week.
File Requirements: Deadline –300 x 300 px All classified ads are due three business days prior to –72 dpi / RGB mode the start date. Creatives must be sized correctly by –JPG the client or incur an additional charge. Classified ads must be prepaid in advance. Procrastination
Procrastination Activity Sheet The University Star now has interactive activity sheets available for download on our Procrastination game webpage! Every Tuesday our readers can enjoy a new activity sheet that will include a variety of games including sudoku and coloring graphics. New activity sheets and prior last week’s answers will be promoted on our social media every Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by providing a hint to our followers on Thursday and Friday.
Print Ad
*$50 additional fee/ad
Activity Sheet Ad
Color 6” x 1.5” $250/ad
9 3 7 6 1 2 8 5 4
2 1 8 4 5 9 7 6
SUDOKU 3
4 5 6 7 3 8 9 1
Game by sudokuweb.org 2
3 2 5 8 6 1 4 9 7
4 1 2 9 5 6 3 8
ACTIVITY SHEET 1 2 7 7 6 8 9 3 4 7 5 2
Australia Day Edition 1
9 2 5 7 4 3 8 6
6 1 3 1
8 6 4 9 2 3 1 7 5
5 7 3 1 8 6 2 4
5 3 8 2 1 9
WORD SCRAMBLE 6 1 4 7 2 3 (6)Strengthen (5)Moderation,
Cities in Australia (4)Nutrition, (3)Hydration,
1 5 6 (2)Exercise, (1)Sleep,
1. ETRPH ______Crossword:
8 3 2 7 6 1 (6)Support (5)Emotions,
2. IRBNESAB ______(4)Positivity, (3)Self-care,
8 5 7 3 9 1 (2)Leisure, (1)Mindfulness, 3. DYNESY ______
9 1 6 3 7 Scramble: Word
4. BLUNMEORE ______Answers: Sheet Wellness and Health 5. DALEIDEA ______3 9 4 6. WADRIN ______*Dimensions listed in width x CROSSWORD height. Print ads must be Australian Wildlife submitted at 300 dpi resolution/ ACROSS: CMYK. 1. This animal can hop as far as 25 feet in one leap! 3. This large bird is related to emus but is much more colorful. 4. The only animal in the world that produces *For print ad pricing please refer cube-shaped droppings. to page 4. 5 6. A fuzzy marsupial that sleeps around 18-22 hours a day. DOWN: 2. An egg laying mammal that looks similar to a 6 porcupine. 2 5. A koala's favorite leaves 3 to snack on.
4
1 Alternative Media star.txstate.edu
Street Team Marketing
Every Tuesday our University Star Street Team passes out the latest issue of The University Star along with your flyers or swag.
$550 for up to 500 pieces
*Flyers must be printed by the client. Please have all items shipped to The University Star (601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666) at least 10 days prior to the scheduled distribution date. Content must be approved prior to shipment. Printing available for an additional cost.
Event Advertising with EVVNT
Have an upcoming event you want the Texas State community to know about? Your event could be displayed on the go-to calendar for the Austin/San Marcos/New Braunfels/ San Antonio area. For as low as $25, you can add your concert, pub crawl, farmer’s market, brewery tour, art show or any event to The University Star’s calendar feed seen by thousands of visitors each month. Newsstand Advertising star.txstate.edu
Newsstand Advertising
Have your promotion displayed at our high-traffic kiosks around the Texas State University campus.
Large Newsstand Medium Newsstand Small Newsstand
$500 $400 $300 one poster per month one poster per month one poster per month $1,200 $1,000 $800 three posters per month three posters per month three posters per month
Dimensions: 27” x 50” Dimensions: 19” x 36.25” Dimensions: 18” x 22”
Locations: Locations: Locations: LBJ Student Center (2) UAC - Undergrad Academic Center (1) Hines (1) Centennial (2) McCoy College of Business (1) Taylor Murphy Hall (1) Commons Dining Hall (1) Alkek Library (1) Alkek Lounge (1) Flowers Hall (1) Campus Rec (1) JCK Administration Building (1) ASBS / The Den (1)
*Printing: $54.00 per poster *Printing: $34.00 per poster *Printing: $24.00 per poster
*Posters printed by the client must be shipped to The University Star at least 10 days prior to the scheduled run date. Print services must be requested and paid in advance at least 10 days prior to the scheduled run date. Content must be approved prior to shipment. Publication Schedule star.txstate.edu
2021
JUNE AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 1 2 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
JULY 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 S M T W T F S 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 1 2 3 29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 31 11 12 13 2022 NOVEMBER DECEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 1 1 2 3 4 5
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
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30 31
MARCH APRIL M AY SPECIAL ISSUES S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S June 2 – Summer in SMTX 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 July 13 – Orientation Issue Aug. 24 – Back to School 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Sept. 14 – Restaurant Guide 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Oct. 12 – Homecoming Issue Oct. 26 – Halloween Issue 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Nov. 16 – Holiday Travel Guide Nov. 30 – Year in Review 27 28 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 29 30 31 Jan. 18 – Health and Wellness Feb. 1 – Grad School Issue Feb. 15 – Housing Guide March 1 – Spring Break Issue To place an ad please contact: CALENDAR KEY April 12 – San Marcos Stars The University Star Student Media Group Regular Special April 26 – Commencement 512.245.2261 | [email protected] Issue Issue May 3 – Procrastination Issue Basic Creative Requirements – PDF with all fonts embedded – PRINT images must be submitted at 300 dpi / CMYK – WEB images should be submitted at 72 dpi / RGB – Black and white images must be in grayscale
General Advertising Terms & Provisions
Advertising Policy All advertising is subject to the approval of The University Star staff. The University Star will not accept ads that are libelous; promote academic dishonesty; violate federal, state or local laws; or encourage discrimination against any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, age, color, gender identity, creed, religion, national origin or disability.
Advertisers must be honest about the products or services their ads promote. Content that is advertising in nature must be clearly labeled as such. It is deemed the responsibility of the advertiser to comply with all laws and regulations applicable to the marketing and sale of its product or service.
All political advertising must comply with all applicable laws, including all federal elections laws, Federal Election Commission regulations, copyright laws, defamation law, and other state or local laws and regulations. We reserve the right to edit or reject any ad copy, photos, graphics or entire ads. The University Star encourages responsibility and good taste in advertising.
Force Majeure Neither Party will be liable or responsible to the other Party, or be deemed to have defaulted under or breached this Agreement, for any failure or delay in fulfilling or performing any term of this Agreement, when and to the extent such failure or delay is caused by any: (i) acts of God; (ii) flood, fire, or explosion; (iii) war, terrorism, invasion, riot, or other civil unrest; (iv) embargoes or blockades in effect on or after the date of this Agreement; (v) national or regional emergency; (vi) strikes, labor stoppages or slowdowns, or other industrial disturbances; (vii) passage of law or governmental order, rule, regulation, or direction, or any action taken by a governmental or public authority, including but not limited to imposing an embargo, export or import restriction, quota, or other restriction or prohibition; or (viii) national or regional shortage of adequate power, telecommunications, or transportation facilities (each of the foregoing, a “Force Majeure”); in each case, provided that (A) such event is outside the reasonable control of the affected Party, (B) the affected Party provides prompt notice to the other Party, stating the period of time the occurrence is expected to continue, and (C) the affected Party uses diligent efforts to end the failure or delay and minimize the effects of such Force Majeure.
Insertion Orders All advertiser’s orders are subject to the terms and provisions of the current rate card. Quote pricing will be honored for 30 days. The representative of advertiser whose name is signed on an insertion order represents and acknowledges that he/she has full authority to do so and hereby assumes personal responsibility for the payment of all sums due hereunder. Advertiser and the representative whose name is signed to the Insertion Order each agree that the venue for any suit to collect and amounts owed to The University Star and its products and services shall be the courts of Texas and each agrees to be subject to the jurisdiction thereof.
Deadlines Copy, photos and all ad material must be received at least 4 business days prior to the scheduled run date. Products, posters and flyers must be received at The University Star offices at least 10 days prior to the scheduled run date. Inserts must be received at the printer at least 10 days prior to the scheduled run date.
Any advertiser who fails to meet the deadline for providing ad materials will still be responsible for paying for the ad space reserved per the signed insertion order.
Deadline and Placement Information Space and material deadline is 10 days prior to run date. Please contact your sales representative for more information.
Payment Policy All orders must be prepaid in full unless the advertiser has an established history with The University Star and receives prior approval from the director. Payment may be made by check, cash, money order or credit card. All payments are non-refundable.
Advertiser assumes responsibility for checking proof of performance and ensuring their advertising campaign has run correctly. Advertiser is responsible for checking ad copy to ensure accuracy before the ads run. We regret it when mistakes happen and will
The University Star • 601 University Dr. • San Marcos, TX 78666 • [email protected] • www.universitystar.com/advertising work to amend any advertising errors made by The University Star as quickly as possible. The University Star will be responsible for only the first insertion of incorrect copy. A credit for will be issued on the advertiser’s account for only the first insertion of incorrect copy. Ads that have been signed off on by the advertiser but contain mistakes are the sole responsibility of the Advertiser.
Advertiser agrees that all bills are due and payable (net) within thirty (30) days. Ads 90 days past due will begin incurring a 10% late fee per day past due backdated to the 30-day mark. Payment may be made by check, cash, money order or credit card. Advertiser further agrees to pay reasonable collection and attorney’s fees, in addition to the balance due if it becomes necessary to place for collection a bill incurred under this policy. If payment is not made in accordance with the above specified terms, The University Star reserves the right to refuse to run further advertising, and all bills shall immediately become due and payable. The University Star Student Publications Coordinator reserves the right to request full or partial payment in advance or to cancel credit services at any time on any account.
Ads submitted in the wrong format and requiring changes to meet The University Star’s design requirements will incur a $45 fee per ad. Changes made by the advertiser during the scheduled run of the ad will incur a $45 fee per ad. This includes any changes to the ad design or visuals that will require additional edits or additional scheduling for The University Star staff.
Position The University Star will honor position requests when possible. Guaranteed placement is available for an additional cost. Please ask your account executive for more information.
Newsletter Advertiser will be automatically subscribed to The University Star newsletters upon finalizing their advertising order. Advertiser can unsubscribe at any time.
Memberships The University Star and its personnel are members of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, Associated Collegiate Press, College Media Association, and the College Media Business and Advertising Managers.
Cancellation Policy Advertiser must provide The University Star with a written cancellation request a minimum of 30 business days prior to the ad insertion date to discontinue or cancel a campaign (or portion thereof). The University Star reserves the right to charge the Advertiser up to a 10% cancellation fee for any unused portion of the campaign to cover internal costs.
Indemnification All advertisements are accepted and placed by The University Star on the Advertiser’s representation that Advertiser is authorized to publish the contents and subject matter of said advertisements. Advertiser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless The University Star and its officers and employees from any loss, liability, or expense (including reasonable attorney’s fees) incurred as a result of any claim or lawsuit for libel, violation of the right to privacy or publicity, plagiarism, copyright infringement and any other claim or lawsuit based on the contents or subject matter of said advertisements. Advertiser shall reimburse The University Star for any amount paid by The University Star in settlement of claims or in satisfaction of judgments obtained by reason of publication of such advertising copy together with all expenses in connection therewith, including, but not limited to, attorney’s fees and cost of litigation.
The liability of The University Star for any act, error, omission or failure to act for which it may be responsible shall, in no event, exceed the cost of the advertising space ordered. The University Star, will not, in any event, be liable for consequential or special damages including, but not limited to, lost profits or income. The University Star is not, in any event, liable for any errors or omissions in advertisement copy, including but not limited to, key numbers.
Unintentional or inadvertent failure on the part of The University Star to fill an order shall not constitute breach of the Insertion Order or this policy. The University Star shall not be subject to any liability whatsoever for failure to fill an order for advertising, or failure to publish or cause to be published, any advertising such failure(s) occasioned by accidents, fires, work stoppages, floods or other circumstances reasonably beyond The University Star’s control.
The University Star reserves the right to cancel or reject any advertising.
Governing Law Client hereby agrees to be bound by the terms of this purchase order and that this purchase order shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas. Any civil action or proceeding arising out of or related to this contract shall be brought in the courts of the State of Texas.
By placing this order, I confirm that I have read and agree to the terms listed above.
The University Star • 601 University Dr. • San Marcos, TX 78666 • [email protected] • www.universitystar.com/advertising